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have the D's toppled the SVT's?
- Thread starter MJ_Sotti
- Start date
I'd still use the D800. I think it sounds better than any oyher head I've owned with exception to my Aguilar DB750. And even in that case they both were just different flavors of awesome.
Pretty much the same. It didn't even occur to me that weight would be an issue until I joined talkbass.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,075
- 5
- 221,153
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
From an older guy who spent 35 years out on the road with a big PA, just because you pick up heavy stuff all day long doesn't mean that it's good for you or that you are not damaging your body. Be careful, and at some time in the future you may find that you wished you were more careful
)Hindsight is 20-20 and is not reviseable.
I hear ya. But I'm very hard headed. Not many forty something skateboarders around either. I've spent a lot of time hucking around concrete. Also humping around heavy gear back in the USMC (mortar barrels) not to mention sheetrock when I was a teenager working for my dad. A tube amp is really not that bad guys.
I'm in my 50s but fit, I have no problems humping my SVT around, but I'm extremely careful how I lift and carry.
I do realize a time will come when it is no longer safe or in my interest to keep doing so, but until then it's no big deal. it also makes a big difference that I use the shorter Bergantino NV cabs, lifting an SVT onto a fridge if you're short as I am is not nearly as easy, simple physics.
I do realize a time will come when it is no longer safe or in my interest to keep doing so, but until then it's no big deal. it also makes a big difference that I use the shorter Bergantino NV cabs, lifting an SVT onto a fridge if you're short as I am is not nearly as easy, simple physics.
Ds toppling SVTs? Tone is in the ear of the beholder. The argument may be perpetual.
Weight, on the other hand, is an issue that may be easier for some to discern. Iron and glass heads? 8x10s? One will rarely see a musician schlepping big gear in an urban/mass transit situation. Also, frequent stair climbers tend to avoid the heavy stuff. Lots of venues have narrow stairs of several stories. Speaking of frequent, frequent flyers tend to eschew the big iron and glass for the carry-on friendly amp. Time-crunched musicians that carry their own gear also tend to love lighter, smaller gear with big tone.
Then, if load-in / load-out are not issues, there's the issue of loads of preamp and power amp tubes. They go bad. Usually, at the very worst time: before or during a gig. So, better carry two of the preferred amps if that is what you must have. And, few bassists are fortunate to have a dedicated amp tech at the gig, so diagnosing, replacing, rebiasing, etc is not a great option.
Finally, who's going to hear that big iron, anyway? The amp chosen for stage volume usually isn't the one heard in the house. The house PA will typically be class D at this point, or solid state for older systems. No tubes. Oh well.
Love the glam and storied glory of tubes and iron. Love the practicality and tone of class D. No worries here. Everyone gets to choose what makes them happy. Enjoying that.
Weight, on the other hand, is an issue that may be easier for some to discern. Iron and glass heads? 8x10s? One will rarely see a musician schlepping big gear in an urban/mass transit situation. Also, frequent stair climbers tend to avoid the heavy stuff. Lots of venues have narrow stairs of several stories. Speaking of frequent, frequent flyers tend to eschew the big iron and glass for the carry-on friendly amp. Time-crunched musicians that carry their own gear also tend to love lighter, smaller gear with big tone.
Then, if load-in / load-out are not issues, there's the issue of loads of preamp and power amp tubes. They go bad. Usually, at the very worst time: before or during a gig. So, better carry two of the preferred amps if that is what you must have. And, few bassists are fortunate to have a dedicated amp tech at the gig, so diagnosing, replacing, rebiasing, etc is not a great option.
Finally, who's going to hear that big iron, anyway? The amp chosen for stage volume usually isn't the one heard in the house. The house PA will typically be class D at this point, or solid state for older systems. No tubes. Oh well.
Love the glam and storied glory of tubes and iron. Love the practicality and tone of class D. No worries here. Everyone gets to choose what makes them happy. Enjoying that.
It is on most of my gigs. Either the house gets a DI from the output section of my tube amp or it gets a REDDI. Yes, it runs through the PA's class D amps, but it still makes a major difference.
True that nobody has walked out on us the times I've used a solid state DI, but it's all part of overall presentation, and if I think what I'm doing makes a positive difference to the sound, then it makes a positive difference to the sound, and that's all I care about.
This.
As you get older and more experienced, you prioritize needs more accurately.
Chef
In Memoriam
Chef
In Memoriam
I used an SVT for a while. At the time it was the only thing that got that loud, really. Heavy head, heavier cab.
For a time I used a Peavey preamp, and huge crown power amp, and TWO Peavey 1820 cabs. All parts heavy.
I liked the deeper and brighter tone of the ported Peavey cabs better than the Ampeg sealed cab.
I tried various things over time after all that.
The Mesa 400/400+ was pretty acceptable, and a lot lighter, though the Mesa Road Ready cabs stayed in the really heavy class.
The Mesa Walkabout stuff finally was coming around to a combination of lighter weight and acceptable performance and tone.
When the Neo and class D stuff came out, I tried most of it.
I'm more or less settled into a GK MBF800 and a Fearful 15/6/1; a great all around, every venue rig that in total weighs more or less half what either the SVT head or cab weighed; and, I like the Ff cabs sonic range much, much better.
For a time I used a Peavey preamp, and huge crown power amp, and TWO Peavey 1820 cabs. All parts heavy.
I liked the deeper and brighter tone of the ported Peavey cabs better than the Ampeg sealed cab.
I tried various things over time after all that.
The Mesa 400/400+ was pretty acceptable, and a lot lighter, though the Mesa Road Ready cabs stayed in the really heavy class.
The Mesa Walkabout stuff finally was coming around to a combination of lighter weight and acceptable performance and tone.
When the Neo and class D stuff came out, I tried most of it.
I'm more or less settled into a GK MBF800 and a Fearful 15/6/1; a great all around, every venue rig that in total weighs more or less half what either the SVT head or cab weighed; and, I like the Ff cabs sonic range much, much better.
A lot of stuff is debatable on this stuff, but one thing is cast in concrete:
Particle board is no longer a part of my gigging life.
Chef
In Memoriam
A lot of stuff is debatable on this stuff, but one thing is cast in concrete:
Particle board is no longer a part of my gigging life.
I'm so happy about new speaker design and construction.
Neo speakers plus lighter better woods and bracing mean that fF 15/6/1 weighs about 50lbs/
Two GK 112's weight about 50lbs.
Two Baer ML112's weigh about 75lbs.
All of those are so easy to move.
Man. Those Peavey 1820's were a big upgrade at the time, but it was like moving tow refrigerators, twice, every show.
I do not miss that!
First time I picked up one of the new fender Rumble 100's, I thought it was empty. It almost felt like lifting up an empty cardboard box.
This is the weight argument I make a ll day long and it is based on the "fact" that the V4b reissue is the greatest bass amp ever made (I'm kidding and being over dramatic) but I do really love the head. I don't care how small of a head you use you are still going to need to move a cab. And there is no cab that is smaller and lighter then the 40lb 24" x 11"x 11" that is going to carry a moderately sized gig.
You could like the sound of a micro better or you can take the subway to most of your gigs that is fine but the weight argument is weak...
You could like the sound of a micro better or you can take the subway to most of your gigs that is fine but the weight argument is weak...
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I just joined a band that uses IEMs. IF it weren't for my drummer and I liking to feel the bass, I would not even bring a cab. But @!#$#$, the 2x15 weighs 38 pound, and if I had to, I could carry that, my bass, and head all in my Karmann Ghia, so who am I to complain.
